[Marcksman]

on one side of my shotgun,it doesnt always fire,and i noticed that the hammer stop sticks out a little further then the other,so i am thinking all i have to do is thread the hammer stop in a little,but i need to take the hammer out ,and i don't know how to do it.is there any step by step directions around ?thanks Marcksman

[Okiecruffler]

How handy are you with shotguns? I had 10 years eperience in tearing down and rebuilding C&R rifles when my main shotgun, a 311A, finally needed new springs and pins (after only 50 years of heavy use, what a POS). So I got the parts from Numrich and sat down to replace everthing. Three days later I emerged from the shop with a working shotgun, alot of bandages and dire need to make amends to our Maker for the language I had used. Never, ever ever again.
That being said, it can be done. I think I would have had a better time of it had I obtained the tool for getting the hammers back where they belong. Fella used to sell them on Ebay, but they aren't listed there now. Just ground down regular screwdriver, wish I knew what the pattern was.

[evbutler462]

You are a brave man. I have been shooting 311s for more years than I can count. I still don't have the courage or confidence to tear the innards down and try to put them back together. This is one job that I will gladly pay a gunsmith to do for me.

My compliments to you, Okiecruffer. You are a better man than I am with tools and patience.

[Dave McCracken]

Send it to a professional smith. Most doubles are not user friendly inside.

[Okiecruffler]

Hey, I'm just glad the next 2 post weren't people saying they had done it in 5 minutes at the kitchen table. I won't use a smith for much, in fact just replaced the innerds in my dan wesson revolver the other day. But I'll never get that deep into a SXS again.

[stevehaun]

The first time I did it, I used a small block of wood and a c-clamp to reposition the hammer in order to reinsert the pin. The last time I did it, I used an Irwin Quick Grip and I made a small "tool" out of HDPE. It took me over 8 hours to cut and plane the exact sized piece of HDPE - repeated trial and error. Much cussing, spitting , weaping and gnashing of teeth:cuss:. Good news is that I now can replace the hammers in about 5 minutes.
I recently read (but have not yet verified) that firing pins can be replaced without removing the hammers. Here are the instructions: Simply remove the stock from the reciever (leave the barrel and foreend on the reciever). Open the action as far as possible and this cocks the hammers, giving access to the firing pin retaining screw and firing pin. So Marcksman, if this is true, your should be able to screw in the hammer stop (which is actually the firing pin retaining screw) without removing the hammers. Give it a try and report back. If it is true, then it is good news for all us 311 fools because we can replace broken firing pins without removing the hammers.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Three days later I emerged from the shop with a working shotgun, alot of bandages and dire need to make amends to our Maker for the language I had used.

Only three days!! It took me TWO WEEKS, and I think I invented some cuss words along the way!
Take it to a smith.....your blood pressure will thank you!;)